| Description |
Conservation International (CI) seeks a candidate for its Media Relations team in the Brand and Communications Division to help report the “news” of progress made by CI’s programs, projects, and people, as well as to help raise the profile of CI's global conservation work and thought leaders with journalists, donors, key influencers, partners, staff, and the general public. Under the direction of the Director of Media Relations, this position will have the main responsibility for targeting and cultivating relationships with select high-value journalists in the U.S. and foreign correspondents for major English-language news outlets abroad - including print, broadcast and online with the intent of placing high profile stories about CI in a-list and other media outlets and key CI donor markets, as strategically directed.
This work will support primary institutional goals of of raising public awareness of CI’s brand, leaders, partnerships, and innovations, helping to amplify solutions and secure conservation and policy outcomes, while optimally increasing online traffic to Conservation.org with media stories linking to our site. Candidate should demonstrate experienced reporting skills, including writing and story pitch identification and development as well as a strong knowledge of the ever-evolving media and social media landscape which includes familiarity with influential science, business, health, and global affairs journalists. A passion for environmental and development issues and an understanding of the role that NGOs, governments and businesses can play in preserving the world's natural wealth, would also be valued.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Reporting organizational News & Views: under the guidance and assignment of the Director of Media Relations, and in support of CI’s Institutional Priorities and internal ‘clients’ from various divisions or country programs, identify news reporting opportunities and develop key messages, written news releases, statements, blog ideas, and other supporting content ideas to announce new products, goals/outcomes for strategic policy events, or programmatic progress to audiences that will include staff, partners, donors, and press. Also support CI’s international policy efforts on strategic issues by potentially participating in annual U.N. conferences abroad, to help gain media attention for CI’s experts and build new relationships with key journalists. Actively promote this “news” to relevant CI program staff in partnership with Internal Communications.
- Proactive Outreach & Media Relations: By leveraging a range of CI feature content which could include stories in staff blogs, photo essays, video clips, or expeditions/site visits , cultivate and develop non-news story ideas for press and distribute/pitch these ideas to global media with the goal of consistently placing positive, feature stories in the media (print, online, television, radio) and helping to raise the profile of key CI leadership while increasing public awareness of our mission. Also, as part of regular work flows, monitor relevant news and cultivate relationships with key journalists in the U.S., Europe, and other major media hubs.
- Opportunistic/Reactive Media Relations & Staff Prep: as part of daily working schedule, promptly respond to unsolicited media inquiries from journalists and broadcast producers to tell CI’s story, promoting CI’s experts and thought leadership, and managing/protecting CI’s reputation in case of inaccurate or critical reports that call for crisis management or response. Arrange interviews with CI talent, assist in preparation of talking points or written answers, and provide coaching or support during interviews as needed.
- Promotional Support for Fundraising Initiatives: Support Conservation International’s development efforts in the U.S. by working with the Media Director to promote select CI fundraising dinners & events to local journalists in key media/donor markets and earn positive attention for CI in those cities and to help drive donations; also support Marketing + Branding in potential online fundraising/gift campaigns by promoting initiatives to targeted mainstream media, such as magazine gift-giving guides.
- Leadership Visibility: support Media Director and the Chairman’s Office in helping to create/implement visibility strategies for senior leadership which align with CI’s overarching communications strategies and deliver publicity for the CEO, President, and Chief Scientist for Oceans. This could include facilitating interview or editorial board meetings, editing for blogs, and research/talking points preparation.
- Media monitoring: work with Media Coordinator and Media Director to contribute to media reach/resonance reports that monitor and analyze media/social media coverage of CI’s people and PR efforts for internal clients and Vice President News + Publicity, as well as help identify emerging threats and opportunities.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- This position is based in CI Headquarters in Arlington VA
- Some domestic or international travel may be required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- At least five years experience in public relations and/or journalism, with impeccable writing/reporting skills and perfect written and spoken English.
- Solid understanding and study of the news media, with contacts in leading US national, regional and local news outlets, as well as some international outlets.
- A passion and demonstrated success with proactive media outreach, which includes effective story development/pitching to the journalists which resulted in positive coverage.
- Collaborative, organized project management and work style, to support internal ‘clients’ goals/needs.
- A keen interest in environmental issues and conservation, and an understanding of the role that NGOs governments and businesses can play in supporting human well being, economic development, national/global security, and social good.
- A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent.
Preferred
- Language skills – French, Spanish, or German would be helpful.
- Experience with PR tracking/measurement tools (eg. Vocus, Google analytics, etc) and working knowledge of best practices or strong interest in strengthening analytical skills
- A working to strong knowledge of today’s biggest environmental challenges and issues (biodiversity, deforestation, climate change, ocean health, fresh water and food security, sustainable development..)
- Experience and appreciation for the role of social media in public/media relations, and its ability to drive mainstream media attention and web traffic as well as manage reputation.
- Interest in blogging/writing and/or ghost writing in support of others.
To apply please submit Resume and Cover Letter.
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